Of the three known species --Diphylla ecaudata, Diaemus youngi, and Desmodus rotundus (the common vampire) --only the latter has been known to feed on mammals and thus has possibly transmitted rabies virus in the human outbreaks studied (9).

Desmodus rotundus poses a serious treat both for animal and human health in Latin America as this species is a major reservoir for rabies virus in this region [13], what has restricted investigations on the importance of these bats as potential carriers of other viral pathogens.

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